40 Useful Words and Phrases for Top-Notch Essays Oxford Royale Academy

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an opposing opinion.
Example: “The historical evidence appears to suggest a clear-cut situation. On the other
hand, the archaeological evidence presents a somewhat less straightforward picture of
what happened that day.”
19. Having said that
Usage: Used in a similar manner to “on the other hand” or “but”.
Example: “The historians are unanimous in telling us X, an agreement that suggests
that this version of events must be an accurate account. Having said that, the
archaeology tells a different story.”
20. By contrast/in comparison
Usage: Use “by contrast” or “in comparison” when you’re comparing and contrasting
pieces of evidence.
Example: “Scholar A’s opinion, then, is based on insufficient evidence. By contrast,
Scholar B’s opinion seems more plausible.”
21. Then again
Usage: Use this to cast doubt on an assertion.
Example: “Writer A asserts that this was the reason for what happened. Then again,
it’s possible that he was being paid to say this.”
22. That said
Usage: This is used in the same way as “then again”.
Example: “The evidence ostensibly appears to point to this conclusion. That said, much
of the evidence is unreliable at best.”
23. Yet
Usage: Use this when you want to introduce a contrasting idea.
Example: “Much of scholarship has focused on this evidence. Yet not everyone agrees
that this is the most important aspect of the situation.”
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Adding a proviso or acknowledging
reservations
Sometimes, you may need to acknowledge a shortfalling in a piece of evidence, or add
a proviso. Here are some ways of doing so.
24. Despite this
Usage: Use “despite this” or “in spite of this” when you want to outline a point that
stands regardless of a shortfalling in the evidence.
Example: “The sample size was small, but the results were important despite this.”
25. With this in mind
Usage: Use this when you want your reader to consider a point in the knowledge of
something else.
Example: “We’ve seen that the methods used in the 19th century study did not always
live up to the rigorous standards expected in scientific research today, which makes it
difficult to draw definite conclusions. With this in mind, let’s look at a more recent study
to see how the results compare.”
26. Provided that
Usage: This means “on condition that”. You can also say “providing that” or just
“providing” to mean the same thing.
Example: “We may use this as evidence to support our argument, provided that we
bear in mind the limitations of the methods used to obtain it.”
27. In view of/in light of
Usage: These phrases are used when something has shed light on something else.
Example: “In light of the evidence from the 2013 study, we have a better
understanding of…”
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28. Nonetheless
Usage: This is similar to “despite this”.
Example: “The study had its limitations, but it was nonetheless groundbreaking for its
day.”
29. Nevertheless
Usage: This is the same as “nonetheless”.
Example: “The study was flawed, but it was important nevertheless.”
30. Notwithstanding
Usage: This is another way of saying “nonetheless”.
Example: “Notwithstanding the limitations of the methodology used, it was an
important study in the development of how we view the workings of the human mind.”
Giving examples
Good essays always back up points with examples, but it’s going to get boring if you
use the expression “for example” every time. Here are a couple of other ways of saying
the same thing.
31. For instance
Example: “Some birds migrate to avoid harsher winter climates. Swallows, for instance,
leave the UK in early winter and fly south…”
32. To give an illustration
Example: “To give an illustration of what I mean, let’s look at the case of…”
Signifying importance
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When you want to demonstrate that a point is particularly important, there are several
ways of highlighting it as such.
33. Significantly
Usage: Used to introduce a point that is loaded with meaning that might not be
immediately apparent.
Example: “Significantly, Tacitus omits to tell us the kind of gossip prevalent in
Suetonius’ accounts of the same period.”
34. Notably
Usage: This can be used to mean “significantly” (as above), and it can also be used
interchangeably with “in particular” (the example below demonstrates the first of these
ways of using it).
Example: “Actual figures are notably absent from Scholar A’s analysis.”
35. Importantly
Usage: Use “importantly” interchangeably with “significantly”.
Example: “Importantly, Scholar A was being employed by X when he wrote this work,
and was presumably therefore under pressure to portray the situation more favourably
than he perhaps might otherwise have done.”
Summarising
You’ve almost made it to the end of the essay, but your work isn’t over yet. You need to
end by wrapping up everything you’ve talked about, showing that you’ve considered
the arguments on both sides and reached the most likely conclusion. Here are some
words and phrases to help you.
36. In conclusion
Usage: Typically used to introduce the concluding paragraph or sentence of an essay,
summarising what you’ve discussed in a broad overview.
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Example: “In conclusion, the evidence points almost exclusively to Argument A.”
37. Above all
Usage: Used to signify what you believe to be the most significant point, and the main
takeaway from the essay.
Example: “Above all, it seems pertinent to remember that…”
38. Persuasive
Usage: This is a useful word to use when summarising which argument you find most
convincing.
Example: “Scholar A’s point – that Constanze Mozart was motivated by financial gain –
seems to me to be the most persuasive argument for her actions following Mozart’s
death.”
39. Compelling
Usage: Use in the same way as “persuasive” above.
Example: “The most compelling argument is presented by Scholar A.”
40. All things considered
Usage: This means “taking everything into account”. Example: “All things considered, it
seems reasonable to assume that…”
How many of these words and phrases will you get into your next essay? And are any
of your favourite essay terms missing from our list? Let us know in the comments
below, or 
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